It’s tragic to watch someone you care for struggle with drug or alcohol misuse. On one hand, you know they’re fighting a disease they can’t manage without assistance. On the other, you might not feel comfortable getting involved in their health matters. But deep down, you probably understand that your friend with a substance abuse...

When you set your sights on a healing course, trying different therapeutic techniques to understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors gives you a strong advantage. This approach helps you design a purposeful life in recovery and all other aspects of your life. If you have yet to try motivational interviewing, there are many benefits you...

When you have an opportunity to aid healing, without surgeries or medications, it’s a great feeling. More importantly, it gives you a sense of empowerment that you can manage your health effectively, even when you’re dealing with the inevitable ups and downs of sobriety—or life in general. Choosing holistic recovery options makes you feel better...

According to research from the RAND organization, when Veterans return home from deployment, nearly 50 percent experience difficulties with their families, and more than 40 percent struggle to adjust to civilian life. Some face additional battles, too, such as PTSD, depression, anger management, substance and alcohol misuse, and the effects of traumatic brain injuries. In...

Habit stacking isn’t simply a catchphrase: it’s an evidence-based behavioral change strategy to help you use existing habits as the building blocks to create more desirable ones—and stick to them. This might be an exciting new approach for you as you continue to build a purposeful life in recovery. Let’s take a closer look.  How...

Reading this title, you might think, “Ah! Only 10? Well, I’ve got this!” And enthusiasm is important. That said, no matter where you are in your recovery process, crafting a purposeful life takes thought, planning, action, and time—after all, what does inspiration look like, and how do you expand yours? What is most meaningful to...

Even the most confident person has experienced feelings of guilt at some point. While researchers indicate that, in the right context, guilt can help you take proper action, learning how to forgive yourself, especially while navigating a healthy recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, is often a work in progress. How can you get better...

When we think of stress, it often involves work demands, obligations we can’t ignore, sudden life changes, and other external factors. But sometimes people contribute to our stress in recovery, too, by wanting or asking more than what we’re capable of in the moment. So knowing how and when to say no while reinforcing boundaries...

There are many reasons why someone might use alcohol or drugs to excess. Trauma, adverse childhood experiences, grief, and other catalysts are just a few of the underlying factors that come to light during addiction rehabilitation treatment. But sometimes, people use substances to cope with social anxiety and often have trouble building better social skills...

There are a lot of great jokes about parenting. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, “A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.”  Humorist Erma Bombeck wrote, “When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.”  Screenwriter Judd...